Orca Whales arrive in Penneshaw and put on a magnificent display for Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari

It was a rare sight on Sunday 28 June on Kangaroo Island, with 6 Orca Whales or commonly known as Killer Whales coming in close to shore in the Penneshaw township. Locals and tourists made the best of every view point to witness these amazing Apex predators, but the best seat in the house was on board our vessel Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari. We were able to observe these Orcas at a safe distance in the glass calm waters off Penneshaw

We had just dropped a full boat of guests ashore unaware of the events to follow. As we were preparing for our next safari, we received a phone call from Richard at the local BP service station indicating he had just witnessed Orcas, or Killer Whales slapping their tails off shore.

Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari immediately placed all guests on board, and slowly headed to the vicinity of where the whales had been witnessed. What followed was simply amazing!! 6 Orcas were tail slapping, playing, rolling and swimming through the waters off Penneshaw for all of our guests to enjoy. We believe it was 4 adult whales and 2 calves and they certainly weren’t shy about performing for our guests.

The Orcas continued to move east across Hog Bay, Penneshaw and swam towards Ironstone where they moved in towards the New Zealand Fur Seal haul out. I am not sure if it was coincidence or pre planned but they were right up against the rocks with approx. 50 of these seals looking very nervous.

Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari continued to monitor the pod from a safe distance and made a report to the South Australian Whale Centre for scientific research of which we assist with every year on whale migration in these waters.